Chelsea 1 - 0 Stoke

10/03/2012

Chelsea 1 (0)-(0) 0 Stoke

           Drogba 69'            Fuller 25' (off)

Stoke City

I absolutely despise Stoke City Football Club. They epitomise the worst of English football, quite simply a horrible team to watch play football. Endless amounts of time wasting including the keeper holding the ball for a staggering 15 seconds time after time, way over the regulated 6 seconds. Goal kicks taking over 20 seconds for the keeper to walk over to get the ball, then walk to the opposite side of the 6 yard box and look up for a ball before finally proceeding to kick it. Drogba took matters into his own hands by running to get the ball and place it down for the keeper. Referee really should have done something to prevent this but only talked to Begovic once. Moreover, Stoke's whole ethos is to punt the ball forward at every single opportunity to big physical players and try and win free kicks and throw-ins to launch in to more big physical players to head the ball in. Even my Sunday league team play better football than that. Stoke's disgusting nature was epitomised as Fuller, completely unprovoked, stamped on Ivanovic on the 25th minute leaving his side with a tough task to fulfil. I actually wish this had never happened as it made the most defensive and boring side in the premier league even more defensive and boring. Every time a Chelsea player would go past a Stoke player, no matter where it was on the pitch, they would slice them down preventing progress. After the sending off, the reff must have felt sorry for them as such tackles wouldn't even receive a booking. Such negative play is typical of Stoke home or away 11 men or 10. So yeah, basically, I hate Stoke.

The Match

I can see these blogs becoming rather repetitive over time as once again, it was Chelsea domination with 66% possession and Stoke hoping for the best on the break. As usual, Stoke lined up with no intention to attack, a goal would only come from a set piece or a long throw. That's the way Stoke play and despite is being absolutely horrible, it works for them. Once they were reduced to 10 men, for Chelsea, it only made matters worse. Stoke became even more defensive and dropped their defensive line to the edge of area making it difficult for any through balls.

The Woodwork

Today was still a long way from Chelsea's best but the match could have been a lot more comfortable had the woodwork not come to Stoke's rescue so many times. 3 separate occasions Begovic was beaten only for the attempt to crash against the frame of the goal. First of all Terry saw a header bounce up off the floor onto the bar after clearly being impeded on his run to the ball - (which was a regular occurrence on Chelsea corners) after which, Ivanovic controlled just inside the area in time to get a fierce volley away which smashed onto a similar area of the bar as Terry's earlier effort. Into the second half, Mata could have sealed the match with his free kick which had beaten Begovic only to curl slightly too much onto the right hand post. The ball span out to an offside Luiz who set up Sturridge to roll into the net, rightfully ruled out. 

Didier Drogba - Record Holder

The breakthrough finally came after 69' minutes and it fell to the big Ivorian allowing him to be the first African player to score 100 premier league goals. It was going to take something special to break down Stokes defiant defence and it came through a wonderful pass from Juan Mata. The little Spaniard received the ball around 30 yards out, he turned left as if to pass before turning simply skipping past his man marker. Crucially, this caused a centre back (not sure who) to charge out to prevent a deadly Mata shot. Intelligently, Drogba occupied this new found space letting Mata, (shaping to shoot), disguise the pass past the oncoming defender straight into his path. Once in this position, Drogba acted fast to round the keeper and finish in two touches all in one motion. The speed didn't allow Huth to get a block in and set Chelsea onto victory.

I have tried something new so I can show my analysis visually, the dotted line represents the pass while the arrows and solid lines show player movement with and without the ball respectively. You can see the Stoke player pulled out of position to close down Mata for the goal and the space he leaves behind.

 2 Wins in 2 for Roberto Di-Matteo

100% start remains for the caretaker manager although the biggest test comes in midweek. The scoreline could have been a lot more comfortable had some chances found the other side of the post. Had Chelsea gained a 2 goal lead it may have seen Stoke become a bit more attacking and left more gaps and more goals. Another average performance but 3 point none the less. With Tottenham losing at Everton also, that puts us 4 point behind 3rd. Arsenal play Newcastle at home on Monday night, however, for the time being we become level on points with Arsenal. (updated table at end).

Player Ratings 

Cech 7/10

Yet another uneventful and quiet match especially due to the red card. Had to be alert for the trade mark long throws, however, with the defence dealing with most aerial threats, Cech was never needed. Frustratingly slow distribution when a quick roll/throw out would have put us on the attack. 

Cole 7/10

Back in the starting line up after a few game absence. Typical display doing nothing wrong but never looked up for taking on a defender wide to get a ball in. Always checked back inside and passed backwards.

Terry 7/10

Apparently Terry had a major knee operation a couple of weeks ago, but who would have noticed? Played typically well and could see a strong partnership formed with his international colleague beside him.

Cahill 8/10

Certainly Chelsea's best centre back at the present time. He is somewhat like a spliced version of Terry and Luiz in one. You have Terry's brains and defensive ability and Luiz's pace and drive forwards. With a bit of both play styles, Chelsea have a well balanced player who doesn't look like losing his place any time soon.

Ivanovic 7/10

Was a good idea to start Ivanovic due to his far superior physical presence than Bosingwa, but was reluctant to move forward to support the attack which often saw Chelsea players looking to spread play wide right but having to go back due to no player being there. This was amended towards the end of the second half where he was unlucky to smash the post from close range. Ultimately, Di Matteo decided on the more attacking option of Luiz in the second half, a sub which in my opinion, didn't work.

Ramires 6/10

Played a similar role to in Birmingham on the right wing where I felt he was completely wasted. Ramires is a engine through the middle, he simply doesn't know what to do wide right. Once Sturridge came on, he returned to a more natural position but still struggled to get involved in the game.

Mikel 6/10

Again, another player picked to deal with Stoke's physicality and just like before, became useless as a defensive  midfielder due to the incredibly defensive set up of Stoke. Received a cheep booking in the first half which obviously played on his mind, rightfully didn't want to give the reff any opportunity to level the playing field. Rightfully subbed for Strurridge allowing Ramires back inside.

Meireles 6/10

As pointed out by reader 'mbrad' in the last match, Meireles had passes awfully messed up throughout his short appearance today. Expectations rose as another ball was laid back to him, but today dragged it horribly wide. Subbed after just 37' mins for Mata. Would of liked to see Meireles out there for longer, in my opinion Mata should have come on for Mikel at this stage as he was already on his booking and having a lesser impact.

Lampard 7/10

Back in the starting line up where he thinks he should be, and was the most effective midfielder today but still overwhelmingly mediocre. It can be tough trying to break down such a resolute defence and just did his job by moving the ball on to more creative players in more advanced positions. Had a couple swerving long shots keeping Begovic active.

   

Drogba 8/10
The first African player to score 100 premier league goals and turned out the be decisive too. Managed to become free in a sea of red & white shirts long enough to round the keeper and finish in lightning quick movement. A must start for me on Tuesday.

Kalou 1/10

I can't believe that I found genuine promise in this player. Stoke may have had a man sent off but we basically had to play with 10 men the entire match due to Kalou's abysmal touch, passing and general ability. His promise against Birmingham and his shocker today show exactly where he belongs, in the Championship.

(Sub) Mata 8/10 - M.O.M

The only reason this little man didn't start must have been that Di Matteo wanted to rest him with the view of Napoli coming up midweek. Quite clearly Chelsea's best player at the moment and created Drogba's goal today with a beautiful pass through Stoke's wall of defence.